What is your current fill in your 4cc band?

[Betty Lue 1]

Hi I have been banded almost 1 year. I have 2cc in my 4cc band.

[Paulax 8]

Does anyone have a answer for this. Why is it so different for so many people? Why do some people have restriction with 1 cc and why do some not get restriction till it filled full? I have tried to figure this out, but it just doesn's make any sense to me.

Thanks Momlambert, I hoping this one does the trick. Your on your way to onerland and I'm just green thinking about it. Congrats.

Very good question, especially since in this thread, we all have the same size band. But I imangine that all our stomaches are shaped differently to begin with, with differing amounts of fat in between the band and the stomach wall. So as we lose weight, that fat patch between the band and the stomach lining thins, thus the need for more fill.

But I know what you mean, everybody reacts to different fill levels differently. Some can never go over 3.0cc, some go over and even over 4.0 in our band.

Whatever our fill level, success to us all.

Wendell Edwards had a good post somewhere, I will see if I can link it here.

[Paulax 8]

Here it is,

Originally posted by Wendell Edwards.

[quote Wendell Edwards} This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The INAMED protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band. Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.

The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:

1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to two weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to two weeks after the fill. That is why the INAMED protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.

3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.

4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.

5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.

6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.

7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.

Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater. It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.

__________________

See my before & after photographs

Starting weight was 570 pounds

Banded 09/13/2004 by Dr. Neal, in Shelton, WA

"Why are you letting a number on a scale determine your level of happiness, and would it MATTER what the number on the scale said if you were at your perfect goal SIZE?"

[Paulax 8]

I guess it doesn't explain why we are all different, but I imagine that our innards are as different from each other as our outards. lol!

[short1 2]

I am at 1.6 cc. Just got the second fill last Thursday. I can finally tell a difference. :clap2:

JP

[kimmie65 0]

i have been banded since june 26, o7 i have a 4cc band with 2cc in . i have some restriction. i am going to dr today , no weight lost except before surgery. i have had many bad habits like eatting what does not get stuck sugar products. time foe a change. i have got this surgery now i need to use it!!!!!!

[kimmie65 0]

thank u , i needed to hear this , i am stuggling somewhat, but i have not given up. i have lost more on a diet than this. but i seem to want to eat unhealthy. a little frustrated

[cQQlgirl 0]

Is this a 10cm band with capacity at 4 cc?

[BlooEyez 13]

I have a total of 2.3cc

[Paulax 8]

Is this a 10cm band with capacity at 4 cc?

yes..........

[Paulax 8]

Boy, not only is every person different with their fills, each FILL is different.

Fill before last, 3.0, felt LOOSER the week I got it. I paniced and thought my dear doctor must have missed his mark. Then it tightened up 2 weeks later. That fill was good for 25 pounds.

This particular fill, 3.2, tightened up right away and now a week out, it's loosening up.

I just want to be witness to the fact that this is an unpredictable fill cycle.

But I am not complaining. This band has brought me within 13 pounds of goal. I feel as though I will easily attain this goal in the next few months.

Then I will be trying to find just the right fill to maintain this amazing loss.

How is everyone else doing?

[kimmie65 0]

all of you seem to be doing wonderful , at least you all have lost weight, brandy your my hero.

[peggy1011 0]

Kimmie,

I was banded the day before you, and initially was doing well, but I seem to be at a standstill right now. 2nd fill was last friday, and I had only lost 1.5 lbs from the 6 weeks previous. I'm now at 1.2 cc in my band...and can feel some restriction. Hope the next 6 weeks brings me some additional weight loss.

It's hard to not get frustrated. I have friends on weight watchers losing more than me.

We're in this together!!!!

[kimmie65 0]

thanks for sharing, i know it exactally what u mean , i have lost more on ww before this surgery. i am at 2.5cc in my 4cc band. the dr. told me 2.0-2.5 is the magic number for most with a 4cc band. my fills were 1cc/1cc/0.5cc. the restiction is a trip. i find myself so uncomfortable sometimes.

[Paulax 8]

I have to pipe in and support you two. I will absolutley not lose weight if I don't eat properly and I will not lose weight if I do not get extra exercise.

I have to focus on eating like Weight Watchers, I have to focus on going to the gym, even when I don't want to.

If I eat too little, my body will surely hold onto every little bit of weight it can.

Also, if you calculate how much weight I lost each week, I am sure it is less than a pound per week. So yes, my WW buddies can lose weight faster, but I will be the one who keeps it off. I have almost never gained even one pound back in the 15 months that I have been banded.

So I encourage you to eat healthful and real foods and get your body moving.

It is a constant lesson isnt' it? Still for me too.

Hugs and success.